Th
e Makerspace at TZHS is buzzing with excitement this year! Students are working on some of the most innovative projects that have ever been done. The latest project, spearheaded by Jim Keelty, Physics teacher, Karen Connell, Computer Science and Makerspace teacher, and Nick DeSantis, Engineering teacher, are working collaboratively with Albert Einstein medical staff and research analysts at Montefiore Hospital to provide useful working prosthetic limbs to be donated to people in need. The purpose of this project is to provide students with an authentic experience that will have a positive effect on people’s lives. This project began with team visitation from Montefiore Hospital to discuss and brainstorm first steps to move towards 3D printing prototypes for use by patients.
Students have begun the process of research, development, and production of individual case specific limbs. They plan to examine case load and modify and adapt prototypes to provide best fit and appropriate articulation. They will examine two types of prosthetic articulation, mechanical and electronic, which is when two or more sections of the limb are connected by a flexible joint. They plan to use Arduino Nano boards, servos, muscle sensors, and Arduino software to test and optimize the performance of the prosthetics.
This project will help students further develop cognitive skills such as Logic, Reasoning, Spatial, Visual Processing, Brainstorming Solutions, and Maintaining Focus on a Given Task. Students will also foster relationships with each other, the team from Montefiore, and their patients.
Stay tuned!!!
